Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Everybody in Orlando is wild about Harry, as in the Wizarding World of Harry
Potter at Universal Studio Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park. The
popular movies based on author J.K. Rowling's series of books have come to life
for visiting "muggles" to enjoy (that's wizard-speak for ordinary human beings).

The design of the attraction and even the flavor of the butterbeer received
Rowling's approval beforehand, making this attraction an authentic
representation of Harry Potter's life at Hogwarts School. In addition to the
Hogwarts castle, the village of Hogsmeade serves up British fare in the Three
Broomsticks restaurant and adjacent Hog's Head pub. Visitors can satisfy their
sweet tooth at Honeydukes (chocolate frog, anyone?) and one lucky visitor per
group is chosen by the wand at Ollivander's wand shop.

Other
Hogsmeade shops and points of interest include The Owlery, where owls roost and
await their next delivery; and the Owl Post sends letters with an official
Hogsmeade postmark. Harry Potter fans can purchase their wizarding supplies at
Zonko's joke shop; Dervish and Banges magical instruments and equipment shop,
and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.

The main attraction is the Forbidden Journey ride, which gives riders a
chance to join Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione on a high flying adventure
that includes a game of quidditch—the sport that requires a flying broomstick to
play. There is a height requirement of 48 inches minimum for the Forbidden
Journey, but younger riders who are at least 36 inches tall can ride the Flight
of the Hippogriff, which swoops around the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

Expect the crowds to be large at Islands of Adventure, especially within the
Wizarding World of Harry Potter. By taking advantage of
Universal Studios Packages at
Universal Orlando Resort Hotels, guests can gain early entrance to the park when
the crowds are much lighter.

Don't forget that there is plenty more to see and do at the Universal Orlando
Resort. The Universal Studio theme park is right next door to Islands of
Adventure, and
Universal CityWalk
Orlando has dozens of themed restaurants, night clubs, shops, and an AMC IMAX
theater with 20 screens of first run movies and a concession stand that serves a
variety of food choices and alcoholic beverages in addition to the more
traditional popcorn and candy. Check the
Dinner and a Movie Deal
CityWalk to plan a real night on the town in Orlando.

With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios
Orlando travelers have one more reason to make a trip to Orlando. And based on
the record turnout for an attraction that was years in the making, it's clear
that many theme park fans have already made that choice.

Like the Flight of the Hippogriff, the Dragon Challenge was an existing
Islands of Adventure ride in the Lost Continent area that was re-themed for the
Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Formerly known as the Dueling Dragons, the
Dragon Challenge inverted coasters (which means the track is above the riders)
race each other as they plunge through corkscrew turns and the riders of both
coasters come within several inches of each other. The height requirement for
Dragon Challenge is 54 inches.